Page 6

“Warren, there has to be something,” I said. “What if Mia makes an investment or buys property? Surely that entitles her to stay?”

“We would have to explore that option,” he said slowly, rubbing his chin in thought. “But they would dig far too deep into how or where she would have obtained enough money in the short amount of time she’s lived here. If you were to financially back her, it would arouse suspicion and she may not be eligible to reapply for a visa at all.”

A dull ache began to hammer away at my temples. “And there’s nothing that DawnStar can do?” I clarified. “No amount of money that they’d be willing to accept?”

“Unfortunately, that’s not what they operate on.”

“They operate on my nerves,” I muttered. I got to my feet, irritation prickling at my skin and making the soft silk of my jacket itch against my skin.

I didn’t bother saying anything else as I stalked back to my office; Warren would go back to his drawing board until I told him to stop.

“Ms. Voss, there’s a call for you-”

“Sorry, Clara, I can’t take calls right now.”

I brushed past Mia’s empty seat and into my office where I fought the urge to break something. After years of work, sacrifices, breaking my back… All the money I had, the power I’d amassed, it meantnothing.

“Are you okay?”

Mia’s quiet voice pulled me out of my frustration long enough to notice how hard I was gripping the edge of my glass desk. With a wince, I pulled away and nodded absently.

“Fine.”

“I take it Warren didn’t have good news.”

I barked out a mirthless laugh and ran fidgety fingers through my hair. I looked up to find her standing near the door, holding a small cup in her hands.

She’d pulled her long hair into a ponytail, and her eyes gave away the tiny amount of sleep she’d gotten.

“Warren can’t bribe them,” I joked, though it was half-hearted.

She lifted a shoulder and walked further inside, setting the cup on my desk as if to console me.

As ifIwas the one whose life was about to be thrown into shambles.

“You brought me a shot of espresso?” I chuckled, the scent hitting me the moment I laid eyes on it.

“You have a shit day planned, so…” She paused, pressing her lips into a thin line. Her cheeks dimpled. “I thought you could use a pick-me-up andno,I won’t get you vodka. It’s only eleven.”

“Spoilsport,” I teased. I sighed and the irritation turned to defeat. “I don’t remember the last time I felt this useless.”

“You’re not useless, what are you talking about?”

“I have one of the most successful video game studios in the country,” I grumbled, not a hint of pride in my words. “I worked my ass off so that when things happen, I candosomething about it. And now, my hands are legally tied.”

I hated complaining about it, but the helplessness was a slap in the face after decades of success. And Mia was the only person I could admit it to, because…

Well, she wasMia.

“I hate that I’m the one who’s put you in this situation,” she said, and my head snapped up in alarm.

“No,” I said. “You haven’t put me in this situation. You remember what I told you when I hired you? When you asked me why I bothered to put so much faith in you?”

Her cheeks darkened but she nodded. “You’ve got my back if I’ve got yours,” she murmured.

“And I’ve still got your back, okay?”

“Thank you,” she said, and I wondered if there was more she wanted to say just then.